How long does it take to charge an electric vehicle?
Below please find typical charging times for popular EV vehicles from different power sources.
Level 1 Charging
Level 1 charging is slow and uses a plug to connect to the onboard charger using a standard household (120v) outlet. This charging provides 2 and 5 miles per hour and requires overnight charging. Only viable for low range plug-in hybrids.
Level 2 Charging (240v)
Nissan Leaf – 11-22 miles per hour
Ford Focus Electric – 22 miles per hour
Volkswagen e-Golf – 24 miles per hour
BMW i3 – 28 miles per hour
Tesla Model S – 29-60 miles per hour
Chevy Volt – 11 miles per hour
DC Fast Charging
Nissan Leaf – 60-95 miles in 30 minutes
Ford Focus Electric – no fast-charging
Volkswagen e-Golf – 60-83 miles in 30 minutes
BMW i3 – 60-82 miles in 30 minutes
Tesla Model S – 170 miles in 30 minutes
Chevy Volt – no fast-charging
How much does it cost to charge an electric vehicle at home?
A Level 2 charging system is recommended for EV charging at home. Level 2 charging stations cost approximately $600 from manufacturers, but you will see slightly cheaper and more expensive options available in the marketplace.
In addition to purchasing an EV charging station, there are installation fees. Installation fees can start at $400 depending on the setup of your home and the electrician providing the service. Electricity prices in your area will determine what you pay for the energy you use to charge your vehicle.
Note: government rebates are available for both commercial and home chargers. In Ontario, the government covers 50% of EVSE and installation costs up to $1000.
Assuming you pay near the national average of $0.11 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), adding 75 miles to a Nissan Leaf would cost less than $3.00.
The Tesla Model S, which has a range exceeding 250 miles in several trims, would cost closer to $5 for a range of 125 miles and $10 for a full battery from zero.
Where can I find public charging stations?
Most charging station providers do not show other brands on their station locator maps. This can be less than ideal for the EV vehicle owner looking for a station to recharge.
However, third-party providers have aggregated the data to create all-inclusive maps to make it easy to find the closest charging station. Here are 3 EV charging station map resources:
PlugShare
ChargeHub
CAA (Canada Only)
Having one or two of the apps above installed should give you coverage of most of the charging stations available in your area.
EV Vehicle Ownership Tips
Getting ready to roll with your new electric vehicle (EV) can be overwhelming. Especially when there are so many factors to consider. Here are a few tips to help you on your way:
- Make sure your power source is ready. Amperage is important when installing an EV charging station. Be sure that the area you plan to put the station can handle 30 amps.
- Use a professional to install your EV charging station. Using a licensed certified EV vehicle technician to install your EV charging station can help avoid installation mistakes. This isn’t the place to cut on costs.
- Research rebate offers before you buy. Do your research on EV vehicle purchase incentives as well as charging incentives offered by the government. Remember to factor in the reduction in fuel and maintenance costs, as well as cost-of-ownership over upcoming years. Many incentives are starting to phase out, so act soon!
- Research energy saving options for off-peak times. Electricity fees can be as much as 3 times higher than during off-peak periods. Find out if your utility provider offers any programs for EV vehicle owners to get the lowest rates.
- Locate charging stations near work and other routine stops. Knowing you have charging options near your work and other routine stops will give you peace of mind.
- Find out where the free charging stations are. There are several public charging stations available free of charge. Find out where they are in your area and take advantage of this option when you can. In some cases, dealerships selling your EV vehicle model will allow customers to charge for free.